Piece alignment game with overlying members

ABSTRACT

A base member has a plurality of arms with receptacles therein for receiving playing pieces and a portion thereof which is marked with indicia indicating different groups of segments. An upper member which has arms corresponding to those of the base member is positioned in overlying relationship to the base member. The arms of the upper member have apertures formed therein, these apertures being positioned above the receptacles in the base member. The upper member further has an indicator thereon for orienting the upper member relative to the base number. In playing the game, a marker is selectively placed on one of the apertures of each of the arms of the upper members. The players then randomly select with a chance selector device one of the indicia, and then selectively position the upper member with the indicator thereon over any segment of the base member having the randomly selected indicia. A piece is then placed by each player through the aperture having a marker thereon into the oppositely positioned base member receptacle, with the players attempting to form a row of said pieces in the receptacles of the base member.

United States Patent [191 Goldfarb et al.

[4 1 Feb. 18', 1975 PIECE ALIGNMENT GAME WITH OVERLYING MEMBERS [75] Inventors: Adolph Eddy Goldl'arb, Tarzana;

Howard L. Dekan, Chatsworth, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Adolph E. Goldfarb, Tarzana, Calif.

[22] Filed: Feb. 21, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 334,390

[52] U.S. Cl..... 273/135 AC, 273/130 R', 273/135 B [51] Int. Cl. A63f 3/00 [58] Field of Search..... 273/135 R, 135 A, 135 AD,

273/135 AC, 135 B, 130 R, 135 A, 135 AB,

Primary Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert M. Ashen [5 7] ABSTRACT A base member has a plurality of arms with receptacles therein for receiving playing pieces and a portion thereof which is marked with indicia indicating different groups of segments. An upper member which has arms corresponding to those of the base member is positioned in overlying relationship to the base member. The arms of the upper member have apertures formed therein, these apertures being positioned above the receptacles in the base member. The upper member further has an indicator thereon for orienting the upper member relative to the base" number. In playing the game, a marker is selectively placed on one of the apertures of each of the arms of the upper members. The players then randomly select with a chance selector device one of the indicia, and then selectively position the upper member with the indicator thereon over any segment of the base member having the randomly selected indicia. A piece is then placed by each player through the aperture having a marker thereon into the oppositely positioned base member receptacle, with the players attempting to form a row of said pieces in the receptacles of the base member.

19 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEUFEB] ems FIG.3

PIECE ALIGNMENT GAME WITH OVERLYING MEMBERS This invention relates to an alignment game using positionable pieces and more particularly to such a game having overlying members which are used to place such pieces in one of the members in an. attempt to form a row of such pieces.

A number of games have been evolved utilizing playing pieces in which an attempt is made to form a row or column of such pieces. Many of such games rely purely on chance in attaining such alignment, leaving little to the skill and imagination of the players. While a certain amount of chance in a game involves some stimulation, the lack of any need for skill and imagination on the part of the players often leads to boredom, especially with persons who like to exercise their mental capacities.

The game herein illustrated involves the competitive alignment of pieces on a board in which both factors of chance are involved as well as the exercise of skill and strategy. Thus, while some chance is involved, a challenge to the players exercise of judgment and strategic skill is afforded. Further, in the game of this invention each player is required to exercise such skill every time a play is made, including those times when one of the other players is taking his turn. This provides continuous action for all of the players.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a game involving the alignment of pieces on a board which involves a combination of both chance and skill factors.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a game affording continuous active participation by all players.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a game involving the high use of strategy by the players.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a die member which may be used in playing the game of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane indicated by 3-3 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the device of the invention.

Briefly described, the game illustrated herein is as follows: A base member has a plurality of arms, each of such arms having receptacles therein for receiving playing pieces. The base member further has a portion thereof marked off in segments, there being different groups of segments, each of said groups having an identifying indicia. An upper member having arms corresponding to those of the base member is placed in overlying relationship to the base member. The arms of the upper member have aperturesformedtherein, these apertures being above the base member arm receptacles. Further, there is an indicator on a portion of the upper member, this indicator being located above the segmented portion of the base member to enable the selective positioning of the upper member relative to the base member. A marker member is provided for selectively marking one of the apertures of each of the arms of the upper member. A plurality of pieces, which may be in the form of marbles, are provided, these pieces being adapted to fit through the apertures in the arms of the upper member into the receptacles of the arms of the base member. Further," chance selector means, which may comprise a die, is provided for randomly selecting one of the indicia of the base member 5 segments. The game is played by each of the players first placing a marker member over one of the apertures of each of the upper arm members. One of the players then uses the selector means to select by chance one of the indicia of the base member segments, and he then arbitrarily positions the upper member with its indicator over any segment of the base member which has the selected indicia. When such positioning has been completed, one of the pieces is placed by each player through one of the apertures marked by the marker member into the base member receptacle therebelow, each of the players attempting to form a row of pieces in the receptacles of the base member.

Referring now to the Figures, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Base member 11 has a plurality of similar arms 14 which are arranged about a central portion 16 so as to form a cross. Arms 14 each have a plurality of receptacles 17 formed therein, these receptacles being arranged in parallel rows. Near the outer portion of each of the arms is a holder 20 for retaining pieces 22 when they are not in use. Pieces 22 may be in the form of marbles.

Central portion 16 of the base member has a perimeter 26 which has slots 26a formed therein. Central portion 16 is marked to indicate a plurality of segments 30, these segments in the embodiment shown forming a checkerboard pattern. The segments 30 are divided into two groups, the segments of each group being marked with a different indicia. In the embodiment shown, the first group is formed from odd-numbered alternate segments, while the second group is formed from even-numbered alternate segments. Thus, alternate segments of each row are of the same group to form a checkerboard pattern. The indicia used may comprise a different color for each group of segments, or other appropriate identifying marking.

Upper member 35 has a plurality of arms 40, each such arm corresponding to one of the arms of the base member. Thus, the upper member, as for the base member, is arranged in the form of a cross. An indicator 42 is provided at the center of the upper member. This indicator may be in the form of an aperture. Upper member 35 is preferably transparent so as to enable viewing of the base member by theplayers. Upper member 35 has runners 47 extending downwardly therefrom, these runners fitting through slots 26a formed in the base member.

Chance selector means 50, which may be in the form of a die, is provided, this die having one of the indicia which may comprise a first color on one pair of opposite surfaces 50a, and the other of the indicia which may comprise a second color on another pair of opposite surfaces 50b. Surfaces 50c may have a third color thereon. Chance selector means other than a die may be used, such as for example, a spinner member.

Each of arms has a plurality of apertures 52 formed therein, these apertures being located above receptacles 17 of the base member. A funnel marker 55 is provided for each of arms 40. The funnel markers have apertures in the center thereof and slip over the edges 53 of apertures 52. Funnel markers 55 thus may be selectively positioned over any one of the apertures of the arm position 40. Upper member 35 can be grasped by means of tabs 60 which extend upwardly therefrom, and positioned as desired over the base member with runners 47 fitted in selected ones of slots 26a.

The game is played as follows: All players first position funnel markers 55 over a selected one of apertures 52. After the first play, the player rolling the die cannot make a position change of his marker before he rolls the die. The die 50 is rolled. if one of the indicia of the segments 30 is rolled, the player can position upper member 35 so that indicia 42 is over any one of the segments 30 having this indicia. If he rolls the indicia of the segment over which indicator 42 is already positioned, the upper member may be left in this position. After the upper member has been positioned as just described, each player drops one of the pieces 22 through his funnel marker 55 into the receptacle 16 therebelow. The game continues until one of the players has placed five pieces in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. When theindicia on side 500 of the die is rolled, there is no repositioning of the upper member nor any placing of the pieces through the funnel markers and the play moves to the next player, this in effect constituting a pass. 4

It thus can be seen that the game involves an analysis by each of the players of not only his own positioning of the pieces, but also that of his opponents, an effort being made to block the opponents alignment of the pieces while attempting to obtain such alignment of oneself-Further, each player participates in the game for each play by being able to position his own funnel marker to his best advantage.

We claim:

1. A game comprising:

a base member having a plurality of areas, each of said areas having a plurality of receptacles, said base member further having a portion thereof marked to indicate a plurality of groups of segments, each group of segments having a different indicia thereon,

an upper member positioned over said base member in overlying relationship and having a plurality of areas, each area of the upper member corresponding to an area of the base member, an indicator on the upper member overlying at least a portion of the marked portion of the base member for selective alignment with one of the segments of the base member, a plurality of apertures being formed in the areas of the upper member, at least some of the apertures of each of the areas overlying receptacles of the corresponding area of said base member,

a marker member for selectively marking at least one I of the apertures of each of the areas of the upper member,

a plurality of pieces adapted to fit through the apertures in the areas of the upper member and into the receptacles in the areas of the base number, and

chance selector means for randomly selecting one of the indicia of the base member segments,

whereby the marker members are each placed at one of the apertures of each of the upper member areas, said selector means is then operated to select one of said indicia, and said upper member is positioned with the indicator thereof over. any segment of the base member having the selected indicia, one of the pieces then being placed through each aperture marked by said marker member into an opposite base member receptacle, the players attempting to form a predetermined arrangement of said pieces in the receptacles of said base member.

2. The game of claim 1 wherein said areas of said base and upper members are in the form of arms.

3. The game of claim 2 wherein the arms of said base and upper members are in the form of a cross.

4. The game of claim 2 wherein said marker portion of said base member is centrally thereof and the indicator means in said upper member comprises an aperture i id marked portion thereof.

5. The game of claim 2 wherein the segments are marked on the central portion of said base member with the arms of said base member extending outwardly from said central portion, the upper member indicator being located in the central portion of said upper memher.

6. The game of claim 1 wherein said receptacles are arranged in rows.

7. The game of claim 6 wherein the segments of said base member are arranged in rows parallel to the rows of receptacles.

8. The game of claim 7 wherein alternate segments of each row are of the same group to form a checkerboard pattern.

9. The game of claim 7 wherein said base member has alignment slots formed therein parallel with said rows of segments, said upper member having runners which fit into said slots to thereby align said members with each other for relative movement parallel to said rows of segments. I

10. The game of claim 1 wherein the indicia comprise different colors.

11. The gameof claim 1 wherein the upper member is transparent.

12. The game of claim 1 wherein said chance selector means comprises a die having indicia on the faces thereof, the indicia of each of said faces corresponding to the indicia on one of said groups of segments.

13. The game of claim 1 wherein the pieces are in the formof spheres.

14. The game of claim 1 wherein each of said areas includes a holder therein for retaining said pieces.

15. The game of claim 1 wherein said marker member comprises a funnel, said funnel fitting concentrically over an aperture of said upper member.

16. The game of claim 1 wherein said base member has alignment slots formed therein, said upper member having runners which fit into said slots thereby to align said members with each other.

17. The game of claim 1 wherein said upper member has upwardly extending tabs for use in grasping the upper member.

18. A method for playing a game using a base member having a plurality of areas with receptacles therein and a portion thereof marked with indicia to indicate different groups of segments; and an upper member randomly selecting one of the indicia of said segments,

positioning the upper member with the indicator thereof over a segment of the base member having the randomly selected indicia, and

placing a playing piece through each aperture having a marker thereat into the opposite base member receptacle,

whereby the players attempt to form a predetermined arrangement of said pieces in the receptacles of the base member.

19. A game comprising:

a base member having an indicia section divided into groups of segments, each of said segment groups having a different indicia, and a plurality of piece receiving sections each divided into segments,

an upper member positioned on the base member in overlying relationship and having a section corresponding to each of the piece receiving sections of the base member, a plurality of apertures being formed in the sections of the upper member, at least some of the apertures of each such section overlying segments of the corresponding section of the base member, an indicator in the upper member for selective alignment with the segments of the indicia section of the base member,

a plurality of pieces adapted to fit through the apertures in the upper member onto the piece receiving sections of the base member, and

means for randomly selecting one of the indicia of the base member segments. 

1. A game comprising: a base member having a plurality of areas, each of said areas having a plurality of receptacles, said base member further having a portion thereof marked to indicate a plurality of groups of segments, each group of segments having a different indicia thereon, an upper member positioned over said base member in overlying relationship and having a plurality of areas, each area of the upper member corresponding to an area of the base member, an indicator on the upper member overlying at least a portion of the marked portion of the base member for selective alignment with one of the segments of the base member, a plurality of apertures being formed in the areas of the upper member, at least some of the apertures of each of the areas overlying receptacles of the corresponding area of said base member, a marker member for selectively marking at least one of the apertures of each of the areas of the upper member, a plurality of pieces adapted to fit through the apertures in the areas of the upper member and into the receptacles in the areas of the base number, and chance selector means for randomly selecting one of the indicia of the base member segments, whereby the marker members are each placed at one of the apertures of each of the upper member areas, said selector means is then operated to select one of said indicia, and said upper member is positioned with the indicator thereof over any segment of the base member having the selected indicia, one of the pieces then being placed through each aperture marked by said marker member into an opposite base member receptacle, the players attempting to form a predetermined arrangement of said pieces in the receptacles of saiD base member.
 2. The game of claim 1 wherein said areas of said base and upper members are in the form of arms.
 3. The game of claim 2 wherein the arms of said base and upper members are in the form of a cross.
 4. The game of claim 2 wherein said marker portion of said base member is centrally thereof and the indicator means in said upper member comprises an aperture in said marked portion thereof.
 5. The game of claim 2 wherein the segments are marked on the central portion of said base member with the arms of said base member extending outwardly from said central portion, the upper member indicator being located in the central portion of said upper member.
 6. The game of claim 1 wherein said receptacles are arranged in rows.
 7. The game of claim 6 wherein the segments of said base member are arranged in rows parallel to the rows of receptacles.
 8. The game of claim 7 wherein alternate segments of each row are of the same group to form a checkerboard pattern.
 9. The game of claim 7 wherein said base member has alignment slots formed therein parallel with said rows of segments, said upper member having runners which fit into said slots to thereby align said members with each other for relative movement parallel to said rows of segments.
 10. The game of claim 1 wherein the indicia comprise different colors.
 11. The game of claim 1 wherein the upper member is transparent.
 12. The game of claim 1 wherein said chance selector means comprises a die having indicia on the faces thereof, the indicia of each of said faces corresponding to the indicia on one of said groups of segments.
 13. The game of claim 1 wherein the pieces are in the form of spheres.
 14. The game of claim 1 wherein each of said areas includes a holder therein for retaining said pieces.
 15. The game of claim 1 wherein said marker member comprises a funnel, said funnel fitting concentrically over an aperture of said upper member.
 16. The game of claim 1 wherein said base member has alignment slots formed therein, said upper member having runners which fit into said slots thereby to align said members with each other.
 17. The game of claim 1 wherein said upper member has upwardly extending tabs for use in grasping the upper member.
 18. A method for playing a game using a base member having a plurality of areas with receptacles therein and a portion thereof marked with indicia to indicate different groups of segments; and an upper member overlying the base member and having areas corresponding to the areas of the base member with apertures above the base member receptacles, and an indicator on a portion of said upper member oriented over the marked portion of the base member, said method comprising the steps of: placing a marker member at one of the apertures of each of the areas of the upper member, randomly selecting one of the indicia of said segments, positioning the upper member with the indicator thereof over a segment of the base member having the randomly selected indicia, and placing a playing piece through each aperture having a marker thereat into the opposite base member receptacle, whereby the players attempt to form a predetermined arrangement of said pieces in the receptacles of the base member.
 19. A game comprising: a base member having an indicia section divided into groups of segments, each of said segment groups having a different indicia, and a plurality of piece receiving sections each divided into segments, an upper member positioned on the base member in overlying relationship and having a section corresponding to each of the piece receiving sections of the base member, a plurality of apertures being formed in the sections of the upper member, at least some of the apertures of each such section overlying segments of the corresponding section of the base member, an indicator in the upper member for selective alignment with the segments of the indicia section of the base member, a pluralitY of pieces adapted to fit through the apertures in the upper member onto the piece receiving sections of the base member, and means for randomly selecting one of the indicia of the base member segments. 